Sacraments are the means and form for the transformation of our lives, to live a life of holiness, to be holy as God created us to be. Although there should be "sacramental" times all throughout each day, we celebrate seven as a whole Church. Each of the seven sacraments is visible or sensibly perceptible. However, the Sacraments are not just signs or symbols. They manifest beyond the visible. They are real, bringing about what they say.

For instance, in Baptism, we see, hear, and feel flowing water and hear the words of Baptism. In the Eucharist we take God's creation of wheat and grapes and we contribute our human stamp on them as they are made into bread and wine, and then we offer back to God. We recall our story as we hear it in the Scriptures and we experience the words of Jesus at the Last Supper as he blesses, breaks and shares his Body and Blood and tells his followers to do this, all of this, and make memory.

The reception of the Sacraments commits us to live a Christ-like life. It is more than just a social obligation, "going through the motions" of attending Mass on Sunday and going to confession once or twice a year. Each day is meant to be lived, drawing upon the grace we have received, to most closely enter into union with Christ, whose name we bear as Christians.